Shundelon Ross thought the seventh private school she visited would finally be the right fit for her five‑year‑old son, who has autism. After receiving a Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) voucher that made private‑school tuition affordable, Ross and her family toured First Baptist Academy in Dallas, hopeful that the school’s environment would suit their child’s needs.
Despite the promising start, the school declined his admission. Ross’s disappointment is echoed by dozens of families across Texas who have been awarded taxpayer‑funded TEFA vouchers but cannot locate a private school that will accept their children.
Vouchers intended to expand options, but supply falls short
The TEFA program, launched by the state comptroller’s office, was designed to give families of students with special needs greater flexibility beyond the public‑school system. Vouchers are meant to cover tuition at private institutions, theoretically increasing educational choice for vulnerable children.
In practice, many families report that the private‑school market has not expanded sufficiently to meet the new demand. Some schools lack the specialized staff or resources required for students with autism and other disabilities, while others simply have no available seats.
Families return aid, citing lack of options
Ross summed up the experience: “Private does not always mean better. With more opportunity comes more work, more heartbreak, more disappointment.” Families who cannot place their vouchers are returning the aid to the state, effectively nullifying the program’s intended benefit.
Critics of the voucher system argue that the policy leaves Texas’s most vulnerable children without viable educational pathways, while supporters contend that private‑school enrollment will grow as awareness of the program spreads.
State response and next steps
The comptroller’s office, which oversees TEFA, announced plans to survey families who opted out of the program. A spokesperson said the survey will explore why parents were unable to use their vouchers, whether they missed application deadlines, considered remaining in public schools, or moved out of state. The findings are expected to guide improvements to the program.
State officials maintain that the TEFA initiative remains a work in progress and that adjustments based on family feedback will help address the current shortfall of suitable private‑school placements.
What this means for Dallas families
For parents like Ross, the immediate concern is finding a school that can meet their child’s unique needs. In the meantime, many are returning to public‑school options while the state works to expand private‑school capacity and streamline the voucher process.
As the TEFA program evolves, Dallas families will be watching closely to see whether the promised expansion of choice materializes or whether additional legislative action will be required to ensure that children with disabilities receive the education they deserve.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
